~♡~ZAN's 2016 Reading Challenge~♡~

[Zan]

I am unsure of what my challenge will be in 2016 as I did not complete my 2015 challenge. In 2015 I didn't complete many books/ page count which is unusual for me. I was unable to fulfil half of what I normally read in the past. The biggest reason is that although I had started a few books I often read half the book in a sitting then don't get back to it. I usually HAVE to complete a book, sort of like a compulsion. I cannot say that I had been busier than other years, actually I have been less busy. Perhaps I need to set some time aside each week to finish the book.

Either way I will look at what I will challenge myself tomorrow.

[Zan]

Possible Challenge... could set a soft goal of 6.

1.  A Collection of Short Stories
2. A Novel with Over 500 Pages
3. A Novel Set During a Conflict
4. A Novel Set in a Non-European Country
5. A Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel
6. A Non-fiction Book
7. A Book Published in 1984
8. A Book Published Before 1800
9. A Book Published in 2016
10. A Book By an Australian Author
11. A Book By a Self Published Author
12. A Thriller/ Crime Novel

[Zan]

Zan wrote: "I am unsure of what my challenge will be in 2016 as I did not complete my 2015 challenge. In 2015 I didn't complete many books/ page count which is unusual for me. I was unable to fulfil half of wh..."

Edit. ~•~ I actually did complete the 2015 Challenge. I was one book over. I didn't expect that ~●~

[Winter, Group Reads]

That's great, congratulations!

[Zan]

Book 1:

Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
by Diana Wallis Taylor
Overdrive, 336 pages
Published June 1st 2013 by Revell
ISBN 0800721381 (ISBN13: 9780800721381)
Edition Language: English

I really enjoyed this novel. The writing style was easy to follow and you could see research from a variety of sources had been undertaken. The characters were compelling and displayed human characteristics when trying to deal with the conflicts they faced. An easy read and like the author notes that nobody really knows the truth but the Lord. 4 Stars.

[Zan]

Challenge so far:

Pages 336

1. A Collection of Short Stories
2. A Novel with Over 500 Pages

3. A Novel Set During a Conflict
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
by Diana Wallis Taylor
Overdrive, 336 pages
Samaritan and the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

4. A Novel Set in a Non-European Country
5. A Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel
6. A Non-fiction Book
7. A Book Published in 1984
8. A Book Published Before 1800
9. A Book Published in 2016
10. A Book By an Australian Author
11. A Book By a Self Published Author
12. A Thriller/ Crime Novel

[Zan]

Book 2:

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #1)
by Ransom Riggs
Published June 7th 2011 by Quirk Books
ISBN 1594745137 (ISBN13: 9781594745133
Edition LanguageEnglish
Overdrive, Pages 352

I really enjoyed the concept of having a story, a whole fantasy world, based on old photographs. This was not a scary book but a well written book based on a stack of very interesting photographs. 3.5 Stars

[Zan]

Winter wrote: "That's great, congratulations!"

Thank you Winter

[Zan]

Challenge so far:

Pages 688

1. A Collection of Short Stories
2. A Novel with Over 500 Pages

3. A Novel Set During a Conflict
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
by Diana Wallis Taylor
Overdrive, 336 pages
Samaritan and the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

4. A Novel Set in a Non-European Country

5. A Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #1)
by Ransom Riggs
Overdrive, 352 pages
Fantasy. World within the loop.

6. A Non-fiction Book
7. A Book Published in 1984
8. A Book Published Before 1800
9. A Book Published in 2016
10. A Book By an Australian Author
11. A Book By a Self Published Author
12. A Thriller/ Crime Novel

[Zan]

Book 3:
Far from the Madding Crowd
by Thomas Hardy
Kindle, 512 pages
Sold by Amazon Kindle Services
ASINB0084B0DOK
Edition Language English

When I first started reading this book I thought it was another book by a different title. After dealing with my confusion then disappointment I was able to get into the book. The ending was well done I thought. 4 Stars

[Zan]

Pages 1200

1. A Collection of Short Stories
2. A Novel with Over 500 Pages
Far from the Madding Crowd
by Thomas Hardy
Kindle, 512 pages

3. A Novel Set During a Conflict
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
by Diana Wallis Taylor
Overdrive, 336 pages
Samaritan and the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

4. A Novel Set in a Non-European Country

5. A Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #1)
by Ransom Riggs
Overdrive, 352 pages
Fantasy. World within the loop.

6. A Non-fiction Book
7. A Book Published in 1984
8. A Book Published Before 1800
9. A Book Published in 2016
10. A Book By an Australian Author
11. A Book By a Self Published Author
12. A Thriller/ Crime Novel

[Zan]

Book 4:

Girl on the Train
By Paula Hawkins
Overdrive, 325 pages
Published January 13th 2015 by Riverhead Books
ISBN 1594633665
Edition Language: English

About 60% of the way in it was a page turner although I guessed "who did it" early on. Definitely along the lines of Gone Girl Gone but not as graphic nor intense. 3 Stars

[Zan]

Pages 1525

1. A Collection of Short Stories

2. A Novel with Over 500 Pages
Far from the Madding Crowd
by Thomas Hardy
Kindle, 512 pages

3. A Novel Set During a Conflict
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
by Diana Wallis Taylor
Overdrive, 336 pages
Samaritan and the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

4. A Novel Set in a Non-European Country

5. A Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #1)
by Ransom Riggs
Overdrive, 352 pages
Fantasy. World within the loop.

6. A Non-fiction Book
7. A Book Published in 1984
8. A Book Published Before 1800
9. A Book Published in 2016
10. A Book By an Australian Author
11. A Book By a Self Published Author

12. A Thriller/ Crime Novel
Girl on the Train
By Paula Hawkins
Overdrive, 325 pages
Psychological Thriller

[Zan]

Oh wow I have read 4 books this month (1525 pages)

[Zan]

Book 5:

Radhika's Story: Surviving Human Trafficking
by Sharon Hendry
Overdrive, 224 pages
Published September 1st 2010 by New Holland Australia(AU)
ISBN 1847737250 (ISBN13: 9781847737250)
Edition Language: English

This was a hard book to read, as I knew it would be from the subject matter. The events in the book made me feel physically ill, even more so because it is a true story. The writing style was not the best I have seen however it must have been an emotionally draining and daunting undertaking. The story itself is well worth a read as it brings to light, and greater understanding, to women and children being trafficked. 3 Stars.

[Zan]

Pages 1749

1. A Collection of Short Stories

2. A Novel with Over 500 Pages
Far from the Madding Crowd
by Thomas Hardy
Kindle, 512 pages

3. A Novel Set During a Conflict
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
by Diana Wallis Taylor
Overdrive, 336 pages
Samaritan and the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

4. A Novel Set in a Non-European Country

5. A Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #1)
by Ransom Riggs
Overdrive, 352 pages
Fantasy. World within the loop.

6. A Non-fiction Book
Radhika's Story: Surviving Human Trafficking
By Sharon Hendry
Overdrive, 224 pages
True Story about human trafficking

7. A Book Published in 1984
8. A Book Published Before 1800
9. A Book Published in 2016
10. A Book By an Australian Author
11. A Book By a Self Published Author

12. A Thriller/ Crime Novel
Girl on the Train
By Paula Hawkins
Overdrive, 325 pages
Psychological Thriller

[Zan]

Book 6: American Sniper
By Chris Kyle
Overdrive, 528 pages
Published January 3rd 2012 by HarperCollins
ISBN 0062107062 (ISBN13: 9780062107060)
Language: English

I was disappointed with this book. It gave little insight into Chris as a person (until the last chapter). I felt detached from him emotionally in this story and would have abandoned it completely if it hadn't been for Taya's input every now and then. Chris comes across as a moron who can only see things his way. He shows a complete lack of empathy and comes across as an arrogant bastard. I enjoyed the end of the book more as I was only then able to connect ever so slightly with the main character. It is a shame that this wasn't better written or edited as Chris' life story is amazing and this telling of it does his character and experience a diservice. 2 Stars.

[Zan]

Book 7: The Other Child
By Joanne Fluke
Overdrive, 352 pages
Published July 29th 2014 by Kensington (first published February 1983)
ISBN 0758289790 (ISBN13: 9780758289797)
Language: English

This book kept my interest throughout. The audience the author was aiming for is unclear and the ending was abrupt. However it kept me suitably horrified without making me feel sick. 3 Stars

[Zan]

Pages 2629

1. A Collection of Short Stories

2. A Novel with Over 500 Pages
Far from the Madding Crowd
by Thomas Hardy
Kindle, 512 pages

3. A Novel Set During a Conflict
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
by Diana Wallis Taylor
Overdrive, 336 pages
Samaritan and the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

4. A Novel Set in a Non-European Country
American Sniper
By Chris Kyle
Overdrive, 528 pages
Serving Overseas

5. A Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #1)
by Ransom Riggs
Overdrive, 352 pages
Fantasy. World within the loop.

6. A Non-fiction Book
Radhika's Story: Surviving Human Trafficking
By Sharon Hendry
Overdrive, 224 pages
True Story about human trafficking

7. A Book Published in 1984
8. A Book Published Before 1800
9. A Book Published in 2016
10. A Book By an Australian Author
11. A Book By a Self Published Author

12. A Thriller/ Crime Novel
Girl on the Train
By Paula Hawkins
Overdrive, 325 pages
Psychological Thriller

13. A Horror Book (added)
The Other Child
By Joanne Fluke
Overdrive, 352 pages
Supernatural Horror

[Zan]

Ok so I have added a genre to my reading challenge:

13. A Horror Book (added)
The Other Child
By Joanne Fluke
Overdrive, 352 pages
Supernatural Horror

Now that leaves me half way through the original challenge for this year and raises my overall challenge to 13 books.

Below is what is left:

1. A Collection of Short Stories.(1/2 way through)

7. A Book Published in 1984

8. A Book Published Before 1800

9. A Book Published in 2016

10. A Book By an Australian Author

11. A Book By a Self Published Author

[Zan]

Book 8: The Circle
By Dave Eggers
Kindle, 508 pages
Published October 8 2013
ISBN 0385351399
Language English

This book has an inviting premise with a lack in execution with many threads left hanging without answers. Felt like a deadline needed to be met and the story suffered. 2 stars.

[Zan]

Pages 3137

1. A Collection of Short Stories

2. A Novel with Over 500 Pages
Far from the Madding Crowd
by Thomas Hardy
Kindle, 512 pages

3. A Novel Set During a Conflict
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
by Diana Wallis Taylor
Overdrive, 336 pages
Samaritan and the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth

4. A Novel Set in a Non-European Country
American Sniper
By Chris Kyle
Overdrive, 528 pages
Serving Overseas

5. A Fantasy/Science Fiction Novel
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #1)
by Ransom Riggs
Overdrive, 352 pages
Fantasy. World within the loop.

6. A Non-fiction Book
Radhika's Story: Surviving Human Trafficking
By Sharon Hendry
Overdrive, 224 pages
True Story about human trafficking

7. A Book Published in 1984
8. A Book Published Before 1800
9. A Book Published in 2016
10. A Book By an Australian Author

11. A Book By a Self Published Author
The Circle
By Dave Eggers
Kindle, 508 pages
Dystopia

12. A Thriller/ Crime Novel
Girl on the Train
By Paula Hawkins
Overdrive, 325 pages
Psychological Thriller

13. A Horror Book (added)
The Other Child
By Joanne Fluke
Overdrive, 352 pages
Supernatural Horror

[Zan]

Now having trouble selecting books that fit one of whats left. Am now open to suggestions.

Below is what is left:

1. A Collection of Short Stories.(1/2 way through)

7. A Book Published in 1984

8. A Book Published Before 1800

9. A Book Published in 2016

10. A Book By an Australian Author

[Zan]

Went totally off track and read Jodie Picoults Second Glance